If you grew up in Australia or New Zealand, the sun was probably part of daily life. Beach days, outdoor sport, long summers, school without hats — sunscreen wasn’t always a habit, and long-term skin damage wasn’t something most of us thought about. So when pigmentation, redness or fine lines start to appear years later, it’s natural to ask: Can you undo sun damage?
The honest answer
No — sun damage can’t be undone. Once skin has been exposed to years of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, those changes don’t simply disappear. There’s no product or routine that can rewind time or erase past exposure. But that doesn’t mean caring for sun-damaged skin is pointless. What you do now still matters.
Why sun damage keeps adding up
Sun damage is cumulative. Having existing sun damage doesn’t stop the skin from taking on more damage in the future. Every day skin is exposed to UV without protection, additional damage can occur — adding to what’s already there. At the same time, ongoing UV exposure keeps the skin in a constant state of defence. Instead of functioning normally, it’s continually responding to stress, inflammation and barrier disruption. That’s why sunscreen isn’t only about prevention early in life. It’s just as important for skin that’s already sun-damaged.
What daily sunscreen actually does
Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day helps reduce ongoing UV exposure and lowers stress on sun-damaged skin. While it doesn’t fix past damage, it creates more stable conditions for the skin to function as it should. A simple way to think about it: sunscreen doesn’t change the past — it helps stop things getting worse.
Where supportive skincare fits in
Alongside sun protection, certain ingredients can help support how sun-damaged skin functions. Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is a well-researched ingredient used to support overall skin health, particularly in skin that has been exposed to UV over many years. It helps support the skin barrier, improves moisture levels, and helps counter UV-induced immune suppression in the skin. With consistent use, niacinamide can help improve the appearance of sun damage, including uneven tone and visible redness. These effects are attributed to niacinamide itself, not to any single product.
Why protection and support work better together
When UV exposure is reduced and niacinamide is used at the same time, the skin is better supported to function normally. One limits ongoing UV stress; the other supports skin health in areas already affected by sun damage. Neither rewinds the clock — but together, they make a meaningful difference over time.
How Defence SPF 50 fits into this approach
This is the thinking behind Defence SPF 50 by SolarCareB3. Defence was perfected under the Aussie sun, where sun exposure is ongoing and cumulative. It provides broad-spectrum sun protection to help prevent sunburn and further UV damage, while 5% vitamin B3 supports skin that has already been sun-damaged. Rather than separating prevention and support into different steps, Defence does both at once — protecting skin from today’s sun while supporting skin affected by years of exposure.
Is it still worth starting now?
Yes — as long as expectations are realistic. Starting now won’t erase the past. But it can reduce further UV damage, help skin feel more comfortable and resilient, and help improve the appearance of sun damage over time. For most people, that’s not “too late”. It’s simply sensible.
The takeaway
You can’t undo yesterday’s sun. But protecting your skin today — and supporting the skin you already have — is still one of the most meaningful things you can do for it.